Sexy & Healthy Halloween Tricks and Treats for Adults!
By QuickieChick Laurel House
Studies show that 1 in 4 "healthy" adults consume an average of 10 "fun size" candy bars on Halloween. Translation: Approximately 775 calories and 24.5g fat. So if the whole fit mindset holds true, you know the concept that if you make one fit decision you increase your odds of making another and another... (like deciding to take the stairs instead of the escalator, which leads you to choose the skim over the whole fat latte), then dressing up as a healthy icon this Halloween just might be your ticket to avoiding the binge fest.
Halloween seems to be the start of weight gain season. It's cyclical if you really think about it:
-New Year (slim down begins)
-Spring (amp up the fitness mentality in prep for bikini season)
-Summer (bikini season=leanest point of the year)
-Fall (Holidays start to roll around and the fitness lifestyle gets the shaft)
-Winter (diet? What diet)
-New Year (slim down begins)
…And on and on we roll year after year.
HALLOWEEN TREATS
So this year, avoid the beginning of fat season all together and forget about Snickers and Butterfinger and instead opt for sweet treats like:
*churro'ish popchip heaven- 116 calories
bag sweet potato popchips (or original) + 1 packet sugar + cinnamon… shake in bag (eat if you want immediate gratification- clearly (as the quickie chick) I'm all about it… or wait just 20 more seconds and microwave them and you will be happy you did! You will swear these popchips taste fatty and fried- but they are lean and fab! Don't be embarrassed to stick your fingers in the bag and lick em' (that's what I do).
*s'mores- 40 calories
2 sweet potato popchips w/ churro recipe + ½ big marshmallow + ½ chocolate kiss
microwave 20 seconds
They are perfect bite-sized s'mores- total gems.
*sweet & spicy dessert nachos -146 calories
1 bag sweet potato popchips w/ churro recipe + 2 tbsp light whipped cream + 2 tbsp non-fat chocolate pudding + cayenne pepper + sprinkles…
*Slimmed Down Fondue- less than 100 calories
Cut half a Banana into slices (you can also use Strawberries, Grapes, Pears or pretty much any other fruit). Spear each piece with a kabob stick or chopstick. Dip them in FF, low calorie Dark Chocolate Pudding Cup
*Almost Oatmeal Pie- less than 100 calories
Zap 1 Pepperidge Farm Soft Baked Oatmeal Cookie in the microwave for 30 seconds. It will trick your stomach into thinking it's an oatmeal pie!
*No Cheese Cheesecake- less than 100 calories
Edy's Light Slow-Churned Vanilla Ice Cream (half a cup) topped with a dusting of Crushed Graham Crackers, ¼ cup frozen berries.
*"Baked" Apple- less than 100 calories
Core one small Apple. Fill it with 10 Raisins. Microwave it for 6 minutes. Top it with ¼ cup low-fat French Vanilla, Caramel, or Cinnamon Ice Cream
HALLOWEEN TRICKS
Haven't you had enough of a Sexy Devil, Nurse, School Girl, or Super Woman? Instead be one of the following fit icons (in normal or sexy form… whatever you're in the mood for). After all, dressing up as Jennifer Beals from "Flashdance" just might put you in the mood to move your body while trolling the neighborhood for treats, burning off at least some of those calories you're about to consume. Here are a few ideas:
WHAT: Jennifer Beals from "Flashdance"
HOW: Black leotard, legwarmers, nude leggings, red pointy heels, oversize gray sweatshirt with the neck cut out and widened, draped over one shoulder. Plus- permed big hair, gaudy hoop earrings, bucket of water (you can choose to dump it on yourself or not).
CALORIES (burned for an average 140lb woman in 1 hour of dancing): 286
WHAT: Serena Williams (or another tennis pro)
HOW: Short soled color flared skirt or tank dress (white, pink or purple are best), matching headband, ponytail, Wilson tennis racquet
CALORIES (burned during 1 hour of tennis): 444
WHAT: Jane Fonda (or just an 80s Workout Girl)
HOW: Shiny g-string leotard, bright leg warmers layered over bright contrasting leggings, LA Gear workout shoes, a headband snuggled into your frizzy hair held in a pony tail by a brightly colored large scrunchie.
CALORIES (burned in 1 hour of aerobic exercise): 444
WHAT: Michael Phelps (or any other 8-time gold-medal Olympic swimmer)
HOW: Wear a spandex bodysuit, speedos, or an Olympic-themed shirt (speedos is best for the "sexy" look), swim cap, goggles, and drape 8 gold medals around your neck.
CALORIES (burned in 1 hour of swimming): 634 vigorous freestyle swimming
WHAT: Muscle Beach muscle head
HOW: Wear short tight shorts, a big arm hole tank top, and a wide belt. Add a dumbbell (even a fake one) to really drive it home.
CALORIES (burned during 1 hour of power pumping weights): 381
WHAT: Triathlete
HOW: Bathing suit, spandex bike shorts, goggles, bicycle helmet, bike, polar watch
CALORIES (burned during half Ironman Triathlon): 4000
xx
Laurel
Laurel House is a Dating and Relationship Expert, 4x published Lifestyle Author, Personal Trainer, and nationally recognized print and online magazine Writer covering travel, relationships, healthy food and fitness (Women's Health, First for Women, Men's Journal, Yahoo! Shine, Elegant Bride, Fit, Spa, Fit Yoga, Playboy, etc). Beyond writing, she has appeared as an expert on television morning shows including E! News, Weekend TODAY, The Daily Buzz, Better.TV, KTLA Morning News, CBS, Fox, NBC, and ABC Morning News shows both locally and nationally, and her YouTube videos have received over 9 million views. Her 4th book "QuickieChick's Cheat Sheet to Life, Love, Food, Fitness, Fashion and Finance on a Less than Fabulous Budget" was published by St. Martin's in May 2012. She is also hired to give personalized dating and relationship advice at ScrewingTheRules.com.
